House of Orsoleo

The House of Orsoleo was one of the five patrician families of the Republic of Venice.

History
The House of Orsoleo originated with Doge Orso of Venice (690-637), the first recorded doge of the Republic of Venice (r. 726-737). Orso's reign was one of prosperity, but his son Doge Teodato of Venice was overthrown in 755 and blinded. The Orsoleo family remained an important family, with the blind Teodato being a candidate for the succession as the head of the powerful Orsoleo clan. In 770, Teodato may have played a role in planning the assassination of Doge Maurizio of Venice.